Career Center

Summary

Stand ready with VA to help in an emergency A disaster can strike at any time - an earthquake - tornado - hurricane - or global pandemic can leave our Veterans - families - and communities in desperate need of help. That's why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is creating Clinical Deployment Teams (CDTs) to stand ready to assist. We're looking for clinical personnel to serve on these teams and help transform how we provide health care services in times of great need.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Education - Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant
• Exceptions include health care education in the military service or training in the military service which is accepted by the licensing body in the jurisdiction in which the individual is licensed as qualifying for full LPN/LVN licensure will be accepted as meeting the education requirements for VHA employment OR granted a license by a jurisdiction that does not require graduation from an approved school AND have at least one year of successful practice as an LPN/ LVN
• Licensure - Active - full - current and unrestricted licensure as a Graduate Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) - of the United States or the District of Columbia
• Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-07: The GS-07 grade level is for select - complex LPN/LVN positions - as established by each health care facility
• To be advanced - employees must meet all of the following standards - provided the standard is part of their assignment
• Completion of at least one (1) year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent - fully meeting all of the performance requirements for the GS-06 LPN/LVN
• The following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) must be met: Knowledge and skills necessary to care out more specialized patient care duties - including assignments in more complex inpatient and/or outpatient care settings
• Ability to assist RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately prioritize overall patient care needs and adjust plans for care delivery making astute observations of subtle - less obvious changes (both physical and emotional) in patient's conditions and taking the appropriate action
• Ability to proactively assist the RN or MD/OD in addressing patient's needs for medication/treatments - accurately administering prescribed medications/treatments and appropriately recording patient's response to medications/treatments received
• Knowledge and skill to promptly recognize potential urgent or emergent patient care situations
• Assists individuals or groups of patients and their families to take an active role in promoting health lifestyles for more positive outcomes
• Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for or communicate with patients and/or family members who may exhibit problems with lack of self-control - resistant or abusive behaviors - or impediments in their ability to understand or follow instructions
• Skill - creativity - and initiative in contributing to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels
• Comprehensive practical nursing knowledge and skills in specialized procedures and practices to serve as a resource person for other staff in organizing and implementing more complex/specialized patient care
• Ability to support the RN or MD/DO in monitoring the practice of unlicensed nursing or non-medical staff in patient care delivery
• Preferred Experience and Certifications 2-3 years of experience as in LPN/LVN experience related to the area of deployment Basic Life Support (BLS) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• NOTE: Current GS-0620 LPN/LVN employee of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who were converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) in implementation of Public Law 98-160 - enacted November 21 - 1983 - or who was converted to an appointment under 38 U.S.C. 7405 in implementation of Public Law 99-576 - enacted October 28 - 1986 are considered to have met the Education requirement
• The waiver does not apply to persons appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) or 7405 after these conversions
• Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position - with or without reasonable accommodation - without hazard to themselves or others
• Depending on the essential duties of a specific position - usable vision - color vision - hearing or speech may be required
• However - in most cases - a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.

Duties

• Working in Primary Care - Medical-Surgical - Emergency Room (ER) - and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - Clinical Deployment Team (CDT) staff will be allocated among 18 networks for a total of 20 full-time employees per network - including 11 Registered Nurses (RNs) - 2 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) - 5 providers (including Medical Doctors - Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine - and Advanced Nurse Practitioners) and 2 Social Workers
• When they are not deployed - CDT staff will work at an assigned VA facility
• Members of the team must: Be available to deploy with 72 hours' notice within 2 windows of time per calendar year - for up to a month at a time Work in a high-stress environment - possibly in austere conditions or an emergency setting Treat or provide direct patient care within the requirements of practice/privileges/licensure Participate in CDT training activities and demonstrate readiness to apply professional skills to a range of emergency situations Ensure qualifications and required certifications are maintained - including Basic Life Support (BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification Maintain CDT physical readiness requirements - vaccinations - and safety precautions related to infection control LPN/LVN responsibilities include: Outpatient/Primary Care Provides direct patient care to and assists with care coordination of Primary Care patients within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) - supporting services and clinics throughout the health care system
• Provides direct patient care to Primary Care patients in accordance with Primary Care standards and recommended practices/guidelines
• Gathers additional data (face to face or via phone) related to patient needs for treatment determination of PACT
• Participates in PACT performance measure activities such as - but not limited to - non-complex 2-day post-discharge calls - clinical reminder compliance - aspects of chronic disease management
• Participates in daily and/or weekly PACT huddles
• Assists with coordinating care of patients - including patients consulted through Clinical Video Tele-Health visits
• Assures patients have pre-appointment requirements completed prior to Primary Care Provider (PCP) appointments
• Alerts providers (physicians/nurse practitioners) of abnormal signs and symptoms and/or abnormal test results to expedite care
• Assists with patient education related to managing risk factors - medications - procedures - and other medical regimens related to their disease process - within standards of practice
• Inpatient Delivers care to patients according to Patient Care Plan
• Demonstrates understanding of age - and population - specific characteristics that affect the health care needs of the Veteran
• Performs aspects of admission/discharge procedures as directed
• Collects patient data including observations of patient status (i.e. - vital signs - intake/output - skin condition - mental status - etc.)
• Accurately reports patient/client information
• Recognizes subtle and significant changes in the patient in response to nursing care
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance and effectively intervenes as directed when appropriate
• Organizes/prioritizes routine and non-routine nursing care activities (ADLs - medication administration - wound care - EKG - foley catheter insertion - bladder scan - etc.) Provides care to patients/clients appropriate to their cognitive - physical - emotional and chronological maturation
• Work Schedule: Work Schedule: Full-time - Rotating/Varying/Holidays/Based on needs of department and Supervisor Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not required